In my last blog, I shared how I managed my nerves while travelling. This week, I’ve been reflecting on something that stood out during that trip: the way I interact with people.

For a long time, I felt frustrated that people rarely asked me questions or showed genuine interest in me during conversations. I often ended up as the listener, which I do enjoy, but over time it left many relationships feeling unbalanced. At first, I blamed others for talking too much about themselves, and sometimes that is the case. But I also realised something important: I was part of the problem.

I’m not naturally someone who shares freely about my life, especially with acquaintances or strangers. I would wait for others to ask, and when they didn’t, I’d leave feeling unseen. On this trip, though, I tried something different. Instead of waiting for the universe or other people to change, I chose to change. I began sharing small pieces of my life without being asked. It was uncomfortable at first, but I quickly noticed a shift. I felt like more of an equal in conversations, not just the listener but an active participant.

This experience taught me something powerful: you can’t always control how people engage with you, but you can control how you show up. By stepping out of my comfort zone, I stopped seeing myself as a victim waiting to be noticed. I started arriving in conversations with confidence, bringing energy instead of waiting for others to draw it out of me.

Of course, there will always be people I don’t connect with and days when I don’t feel as confident. But instead of feeling frustrated, I now remind myself that my small, intentional choices shape how I’m experienced by others… and how I experience myself.

This confidence journey has been eye-opening. It’s not just about being “brave” in big moments but about shifting the way I carry myself, the expectations I hold, and the tiny daily actions that slowly reshape who I am becoming.

So, if you’re feeling frustrated by how others interact with you, let this be your reminder: start with the small changes. Share a little more of yourself. Speak up when you usually stay quiet. Step into the space with confidence. Over time, those small changes will build into something bigger and into the version of you that feels most authentic and alive.